Emergency Services - Emergency Medical Technology - Paramedic

ECC's emergency services training programs are designed to teach the fundamentals of several emergency services disciplines.

Emergency services programs train firefighters, emergency dispatchers, and emergency medical technicians--basic and paramedic. These programs are designed to provide students with the entry level knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen disciplines, including fire science and safety (FSS), emergency medical technician-basic (EMT-B), emergency medical technician-paramedic (EMT-P), and emergency dispatcher (PSC). Students acquire specialized knowledge and skills from current emergency services practitioners. Emergency services training programs also benefit veteran emergency services professionals needing to update their skills and education. All training received within ECC's emergency services training programs complies with local, state, and national certifying agencies; this enables graduates to obtain job-ready certifications.

Accreditation

Advocate Sherman Hospital (CoAEMSP 600695) and AMITA St. Joseph Hospital (CoAEMSP 600685) Paramedic Programs are accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www. caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Entrance Requirements

  • Age 18 years or older
  • High school graduate/equivalent
  • Current Illinois EMT-B license
  • Minimum six months experience as an EMT-B
  • Written agreement with an ALS agency for field experience

Additional Requirements

  • Successfully pass the entrance exam administered by the Paramedic Program Hospital.
    • Details of the exam date and location will be explained in the application packet provided by the Program Hospital.

Admission Procedures

Students must meet ECC’s reading requirement to enroll in the Paramedic program. The reading requirement can be met in the following ways:

  • High School GPA of 3.0 or higher (unweighted, based on at least 6 semesters excluding summer) 
  • ACT Reading Score of 19 or higher 
  • SAT/PSAT Reading Score of 480 or higher 
  • GED score of 165 or higher 
  • HiSet score of 15 or higher
  • Successful completion with a C or better in college-level courses at another college/university (official transcripts required)
  • Complete ECC’s  Reading Placement test with the score of 95 or higher 

Students must submit transcripts, ACT, SAT, PSAT, GED, or HiSet test scores to the office of Admissions. Visit the College Board to send your scores. You do not have to have a high school diploma to apply, regardless of age. We also accept electronic transcripts through eScripsafe. Students can drop-off, email, or fax documents to the Admissions & Recruitment office:


               Admissions & Recruitment
               Building B, Room B110
               Fax: 847-608-5458
              admissions@elgin.edu

Preference is given to candidates employed/sponsored by fire departments in the Illinois Department of Public Health Region IX.  Applicants from other departments will be considered if space is available.  Go to elgin.edu/jointagreements to learn more.

Program Requirements

Students must complete all required course sections with grades of 75% or better to be eligible to sit for the state paramedic licensing exam offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

Students will be responsible for their transportation to and from all clinical sites. Students will also be required to abide by the Paramedic Program uniform policy during class time, ride time, and clinicals.

Policies and Procedures

Students applying to the EMT-P program must provide a valid Social Security number to be screened for placement on the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Registry and will be held to the NREMT "Criminal Conviction Policy". Criminal background checks and drug tests must be completed no more than 45 days prior to the start of the semester in which students begin their Health Professions program. Students must be listed on this registry to be eligible to complete required clinical training. Students demonstrating a positive background check will be denied admission to the EMT-P program. A valid Social Security number is also required to apply for licensing/certification exams.

Before attending clinical training, students must have the following documentation on file: negative drug test results, proof of immunizations/titer results (based on current CDC -- Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations), proof of health insurance coverage, and proof of a current Health-care Provider CPR certification.

EMT-P students must update their drug test, TB test, and flu vaccine on an annual basis. Students demonstrating a positive drug test will be dismissed from the EMT-P program.

The standards, policies, and procedures of the EMT-P program are published in the EMT-P student handbook. Copies of the handbook may be obtained from participating hospitals.